On This Day in 1953, Elvis Presley Made His First Ever Recording for $3.98

In 1953, Elvis Presley was a spry young lad working as a truck driver. Specifically, in 1953, Presley was 18 years old and was driving trucks for Crown Electric Company based out of Memphis, Tennessee. Presley’s truck driving career was short-lived, as the standout debut that launched came in 1954 when his song, “That’s All Right Mama,” became a hit single on Memphis’ local radio stations. Though Presley’s recording of “That’s All Right Mama” was not his first experience recording music in a studio.

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As stated, Elvis Presley was just a young buck in 1953. While driving trucks, he pursued music by auditioning, singing, and really, just doing the typical things musicians striving for fame do. However, in one instance, he didn’t just use his talents for his own benefit. Instead, he used them to create a birthday gift for his mother, Gladys Presley.

Elvis was very close to his mother before she died in 1958. After she died in 1958, Presley was granted emergency leave from the army, and according to some biographers, his disposition changed immensely, as he allegedly became far more melancholic and dismal. Needless to say, Presley loved his mother very dearly. To show that love, he made his first-ever recording on this day, July 18, 1953.

Elvis Presley’s First Recording Was a Gift for His Mother

In 1953, Gladys Presley would have seemingly turned 38 years old. To celebrate his mother, Elvis Presley went to the Memphis Recording Service and paid $3.98 to record two songs on a double-sided disc. The songs Presley recorded on this day in 1953 were “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin.” For context, both songs were hits for artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Jon and Sondra Steele, and Shep Fields.

37 years after that session, the deep-cut Elvis recordings were released to the public. Specifically, in 1990, RCA released a compilation album titled The Great Performances. In addition to the birthday tracks to his mother, other singles featured on the album include “Memories”, “Don’t Be Cruel”, and “Ready Teddy”. It is an expansive album featuring 20 of Elvis Presley’s most infamous recorded performances.

This is likely the cheapest recording session Elvis Presley ever took part in. So, for $3.98, Elvis Presley got his first recording, a solid gift for his mother, and a valuable contribution to the world of music history. And it all transpired on this day, July 18, 1953.

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